"Nethergrave" by Gloria Skurzynski
Describe the "alternate realities" depicted in each passage. Compare and contrast the ways the characters’ real lives were affected by the alternate realities. Use specific details from the text to support your claim and include the title, author, and genre of each story in your answer.
"Nethergrave" is a short story by Gloria Skurzynski, typically classified in the science fiction and fantasy genres. In this story, the alternate reality is a digital virtual world into which the main character, Jeremy, escapes.
Throughout "Nethergrave," Jeremy feels out of place and disconnected from his real life, which is filled with disappointments, from his poor performance in sports to his lack of friends. The real world depicted is bleak for Jeremy, highlighting his feelings of loneliness and alienation. His father has left, his mother is not around much, and he is an easy target for bullies, all of which add to his sense of isolation.
The alternate reality of "Nethergrave" is quite literally another world that Jeremy stumbles upon through his computer. This world offers him a stark contrast to his unhappy existence. In the virtual reality of the Nethergrave, Jeremy finds an environment where he feels powerful, accepted, and special. He can leave behind his physical insecurities and unhappy home life for a world in which he's unique - he can even take on the form of a more confident, and visually striking avatar.
The impact of the alternate reality on Jeremy's real life is profound. It provides him with an escape, a refuge where he feels empowered and valued. However, this escape comes with a cost. The more he invests in the virtual world of the Nethergrave, the more detached he becomes from his actual life. There is a sense of opportunity cost here, as every moment spent in the Nethergrave is a moment not spent addressing or improving his real-life circumstances.
The story calls into question the effects of technology and virtual realms on human life and relationships. The allure of escaping to a digital domain feels tempting to Jeremy because it seems to resolve all his problems. However, Skurzynski also shows the reader that this escape is not without risks—Jeremy becomes disconnected from reality and can potentially lose himself entirely to the illusion of a better life in the virtual world.
In conclusion, "Nethergrave" by Gloria Skurzynski contrasts the dull and alienating real life of its protagonist, Jeremy, with an enticing yet potentially deceptive virtual world where he finds solace and significance. The alternate reality has a significant, albeit potentially negative, impact on Jeremy's life, drawing attention to broader themes of escapism, technology's role in our lives, and the human need for connection and self-worth.